The Sermon on the Mount

by Richard Rohr

Richard Rohr leads us through the social, political and environmental setting out of which Matthew brought Christ's radical message of a new world order. He explains Matthew's challenge to let go of the conventional wisdom that comes with contemporary American culture.

Each of seven talks brings us closer to the heart of the Sermon. Rohr contrasts conventional wisdom with the wisdom of Christ and draws the listener into the Kingdom of God, the end of the world and the experience of enlightenment. He explains that each generation lives in end times, that the Kingdom is for those willing to let go of all cultural idolatry (past and present) and that those who live in reality travel a path of life which unfolds into freedom. This series is a powerful call to follow Jesus Christ in the commandments of the New Testament.

Talk 1: Awakening the Heart: Recognizing Cultural Idolatry
Talk 2: Voices of the World: Social Institutions
Talk 3: Table Fellowship: Alfalfa Sprouts and Gravy
Talk 4: Matthew's Gospel: Charter for a New World Order
Talk 5: Transformation: Jumping Off the Tower
Talk 6: The Sermon and Conventional Wisdom
Talk 7: Love and Power, Power and Love

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Christian, Theology

Audio CD

First published April 18, 2006

About the author

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews

[Ed Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series of lectures. Here are three takeaways for me:

1. "Your Kingdom come" = "My kingdom go"
2. If you build bridges (which you should), you will get walked on from both sides
3. The Church existed before the Bible

I hope to listen to this one again in a couple of years.

[Shinae Noh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, by far, the most profound book I have ever read(or listened) in my life. It's hard to encounter such a book in so many years so I'm writing a short review at the point I still have 30% of the volume to go.

For those of you who may have a bias because it may just be another 'Jesus talk':
I come from a Christian family but have received a secular education and live in the secular world as most others do. It indeed is a 'Jesus talk' but it turns the whole world view upside-down, whatever your belief system is (or even if you think you don't believe in anything transcendent)

Definitely for a re-listen.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rohr is the epitome of the true village elder. The one when he begins to speak something inside you stirs and you instinctually seek the stillness to really listen - to really be present with what he is trying to share. We all need guides through this world and he continues to be one I will seek out. He calls me out on my smallness and simultaneously helps me catch the larger vision which beckons us to help one another keep going. It's only fitting that this seminal sermon that the savior shared on the side of the mountain gets reinforced and reignited during a recorded retreat with Rohr. I could listen to him all day. He continues to reflect what is best about Christianity at its core.

[Rebecca Leek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Mind blowing truths that will stay with me. I intend on recommending this to everyone I know, and will probably listen again annually just to be reminded. It has also encouraged me to study the Lord’s Prayer for a deeper understanding. Rohr offers lots of incredibly interesting insights into the bible, worldly issues, then and now, of course Jesus and his wisdom teachings..there is so much here. Rohr is a a truly wonderful teacher.

[Evan Kostelka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An audio recording of a weekend seminar Richard Rohr led in the 1990s from what I can gather.
Overall, he only discussed the actually Sermon on the Mount for 1.5-hrs, the other 6 hours is 'background.' His understanding of the particular time and place this piece of scripture was written illuminates the text and the person of Jesus. As he says in his talk, this won't leave you with as much 'paradigm shifts' as it will give you words to chew on and let sink in.

[Becky Bjork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and thought provoking. I revisited some sections just to make sure I fully grasped all of the information provided. Rohr provided historic background on this well known Bible passage that provided perspective to make it even more meaningful. I listened to the audiobook and recommend it to hear this as lectures — the original format.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. as someone who was so sick of evangelicalism and the thinking mind of protestant-ism and has essentially walked away from it all, this book was a fantastic breath of fresh air and a good reminder about the heart of Jesus and why I was so fond of the fella in the first place.

[Craig Bergland · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding look at the Sermon on the Mount, preceded by an equally outstanding study of the impact of Jesus' teachings on his culture.

[Risto Heikkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it interesting, insightful, and invoking inspiration.

[Megan]

Audio

[Erin Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a collection of lectures on the sermon on the mount. Inspiring as always.

[Benjamin Gatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best "books" that I have experienced on the Sermon on the Mount

[Jackie St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk humbly with our God.

If you are looking for a challenge on your spiritual journey, follow Richard Rohr in his interpretation of the Beatitudes.

Filled with wisdom and love, never putting shame into the equation but leading us step by step with Jesus gently leading us forward in accepting the way of many challenges and painful situations.

The prayer to "Our Father" will not be a repetitious prayer but a prayer of relationship with God, Our Father and one another.

His kingdom will come through us. He will lead us through the storms and challenges of our lives. God has not forsaken us, let us not forsake one another.

It is not an easy journey and God never promised us a rose garden but a way to walk through the desert places that we will encounter.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to listen to Richard Rohr in person as he gave this series of lectures. He does not get to the Sermon on the Mount until the end because he sets you up to receive that message. As is usual for him, his collected wisdom gets you to think and sits in your heart in a new way. I listened to this during lent, was a great time to absorb it.

[Rick Lee Lee James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is actually written from a retreat that was led by Friar Rohr on the sermon on the mount. I challenge you to read this with that in mind and allow yourself to be transformed as you enter the socioeconomic world in the first century Jesus. This truly is an incredible book that will help you understand the teachings of Jesus more than you ever have before.

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always get in a serious Jesus mood when someone I love dies, and this lecture series really pulled through for me. Exactly what i needed right now. I'm most especially please with his interpretation of the temptations of Christ. Very satisfying.

[Julia]

audio book